Arthur Handy

Arthur 'Art' Handy was born on February 15, 1967, in Richmond, Virginia, and currently resides in Cranston, Rhode Island. He is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 18 since January 2003.

Education

Handy graduated from the University of Miami in Florida in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He is currently employed by Family Services Rhode Island.

Political Experience

Handy was first elected to represent District 18 in November 2002 and has built a career focused on environmental protection, social advocacy, and technological innovation.

Leadership Roles:
- Named Deputy Majority Leader in January 2021
- First vice chair of the House Innovation and Technology Committee
- Member of the House Oversight Committee, chairing that committee's Energy Subcommittee
- Former chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee
- Member of the House Health and Human Services Committee

Notable Legislative Achievements:

Handy is recognized as an architect of significant environmental and social legislation. He was the primary sponsor of the House same-sex marriage bill that became law in 2013, introducing it annually throughout his legislative career until its passage. He architected the ResilientRI Act, which created the Climate Change Council tasked with developing a plan for Rhode Island to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022, he sponsored legislation substantially expanding the state's offshore wind capacity, and in 2024, his legislation establishing energy storage capacity benchmarks for Rhode Island's power grid became law.

Recognition:

Handy has been honored as Legislator of the Year in 2021 by the Rhode Island Clean Water Association and received recognition from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in 2017 for his environmental advocacy.